A murder investigation has been launched after an elderly woman was killed at her care home.
Police were called to Forest Place Nursing Home in leafy Buckhurst Hill, Essex, after the pensioner was left with serious injuries.
The woman in her 90s was declared dead at the scene and a 32-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Bosses at the care home, which was told last year by inspectors it needs to ‘significantly improve’, labelled the killing a ‘tragedy’ and revealed that after 999 was called the care home was put into lock down.
Police have arrested a 32-year-old man on suspicion of murder after a woman in her 90s was found dead at Forest Place Nursing Home, pictured, in Essex
It also emerged that care home bosses were last year told to ‘significantly improve’.
An inspection of the site found staff failed to store medicine safely, kept dead people’s clothes in a resident’s wardrobe, and left soiled sheets on beds.
It was rated ‘inadequate’ in all areas by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), meaning it is not adequately safe, effective, caring, responsive or well-led.
People at the home, which can take 90 residents – including some with dementia – were not protected from harm and not always treated with care or respect.
Other unsafe practices included people being lifted dangerously, fire doors being left wedged open, broken beds being left and very hot water being accessible to people with dementia.
People were sometimes ignored, including one person who was calling out saying they were in a ‘dirty’ wheelchair which belonged to someone else, and asking to be moved.
Following an unannounced three-day inspection in February 2016, the home was placed in ‘special measures’.
The manager and care provider Martlane Limited were criticised by the CQC for failing to train and monitor staff and not being aware of their own requirements.
The CQC website said checks are now being carried out at Forest Place, which ‘requires improvement’.
The nursing home provides accommodation for people over the age of 65 requiring nursing or personal care, dementia, diagnostic and screening procedures, disease, disorder or injury.
The home’s website describes it as a ‘A family run business with over 20 years experience in the provision of high quality personalised care.’
In the wake of the ‘traumatic’ death staff have been given counselling, but the facility is now operating as normal.
A spokesman said: ‘Shortly before 1.20pm on Wednesday 29th November a tragic incident occurred within the home, which resulted in the death of a resident.
‘The incident was immediately reported to Essex Police and measures were put in place to safeguard other residents within the home.
‘Our thoughts are with the family of the resident.
‘We hope the privacy of the family will be respected at this difficult time.
‘We would like to thank Essex Police for the sensitive way in which they conducted their initial inquiries which minimised the disruption of care delivery to other residents within the home and we continue to support them with their investigation.
‘This has been a traumatic experience for all of us at Forest Place, and we would like to thank Essex County Council for their support and offer of counselling which has been made available to all residents, relatives and staff of the nursing home.
‘In view of the police investigation which is currently underway we cannot comment further at this stage as to the circumstances except to say that all normal procedures have been followed.’
A team of forensics officers has been at the scene of the home which specialises in caring for elderly people with dementia.
A post mortem is due to be carried out on the pensioner.
Essex Police have confirmed this morning
A spokesman said: At this stage we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the investigation.’
In a statement Essex Police said: ‘A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following a woman’s death in Buckhurst Hill.
‘We were contacted at 1.20pm yesterday with reports a woman aged in her 90s had suffered serious injuries at Forest Place Nursing Home in Roebuck Lane..
‘She was pronounced deceased at the scene. A post mortem examination is due to be carried out later today, Thursday November 30.
‘A 32-year-old man from Ilford has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in custody for questioning.
‘We can confirm the victim and suspect were known to each other.
‘The victim was a resident at the care home at the time of the incident. The suspect has no connection to the care home.’
The home, which cares for up to 90 people, was placed in special measures in 2016 following a Care Quality Commission investigation which judged the service to be ‘inadequate’.
There was no police cordon at the building this morning,
The white stained render building was surrounded by builders, with construction work taking place next to the site.
It is understood roughly 70 people are being looked after inside Forest Place Nursing Home, which cares for dementia sufferers, people with physical disabilities and offers palliative care.
Roll’s Royces and Porches drove up and down the peaceful road, where houses can sell for as much as £1million.
Locals described the area as wealthy and were shocked at the slaying.
A dog walker, who did want to be named, said: ‘This is a quiet affluent area.
‘I can’t believe this happened here.’
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